Lick Observatory

[Randy B]

I went for a little ride today up to the observatory. I think I may be the first one up there on a new 1100, but I will never know for sure. Not sure why I keep putting myself through that (I get motion sick on bad roads), but I keep doing it.

[Lord Popgun]

I went for a little ride today up to the observatory. I think I may be the first one up there on a new 1100, but I will never know for sure. Not sure why I keep putting myself through that (I get motion sick on bad roads), but I keep doing it.

Wow, what a view!!

In that second picture my eye went right to the gas tank stickers. First thing I did when I got mine home from the dealer was remove those things. Ok, first thing was to remove my helmet. But then.

[the Ferret]

For those of us that dont know, what is Lick Observatory and where is it?

have to agree thats some view.

[Randy B]

The Lick observatory was constructed in the mid - late 1800's. It is located on top of Mt. Hamilton at an elevation of 4200'. It is located approximately 11 miles east of San Jose line of sight, but the road is right about a 27 mile ride. The road is VERY windy and I think I got out of second gear 4 or 5 times total up and down. Its one hell of a road that has made my motion sickness rear its ugly head a couple times.
Oh and that dome on the right houses the original telescope that was constructed in the 1880's.

[PowderToastMan_imp]

Cool, I will have to go up there some time! I would probably be a mega slowpoke around all those twists and turns, but better safe than sorry.

I did manage to go out for about an hour this afternoon, and hit a little bit of twisties at Stevens Canyon Rd. but I only went a few miles in and then turned back. I'm not very well versed in the twisties, all the country roads I did in Sweden were mostly flat and the turns were wide sweepers for the most part, and a good chunk of my riding was straight lines to work and back anyway.. That highway to the observatory will probably kick my butt!

[Randy B]

If you don't think you can handle it, DON'T ATTEMPT IT!!! I can't say this strongly enough. It's a highly technical and DANGEROUS road with small and large rock slides possible, lots of blind corners, sharp drop offs and no guard rails. So if you miss you could die. All I'm saying is be sure your riding skills are up to it before you decide to tackle Mt. Hamilton road up to the observatory. It's a nasty one for sure.

[PowderToastMan_imp]

Thanks for the heads up
I will take 'er easy and make sure I'm more confident in my riding before I head up that way then.

[the Ferret]

Cool. Sounds like a longer version of the road up to the top of Mt Washington in New Hampshire where they recorded a top windspeed of over 200 mph. Its a very steep winding narrow road without guardrails and can be very windy.

[wildezt_imp]

nice shots Randy..
Man that observatory reminded me of an episode from "The wonder years" in which one wacky kid blows up the observatory with some dynamite or something.. .. some of the episodes in that series were fun..had a good choice of background songs ...